Duo combine for 54 points in defeat of Whites Creek
By Scott C. Wallace Tennessee Tribune Metro Sports Writer
WHITES CREEK, Tenn.- For the first time this season senior guard Will Alexander and sophomore Bo Hodges were on the court together. They looked like they have been playing together for years as they led the Maplewood High School Panthers (9-8, 4-3 10AA) to a convincing 89-69 victory over the Whites Creek High School Cobras. The Panthers used a stifling zone trap to score 19 of the games first 23 points. They ended the quarter scoring a season high 29 points. Maplewood went into halftime leading 50-33 as Alexander and Hodges scored 14 apiece.
“We talked about how they like to jump out early on teams so we wanted to start fast,” said Maplewood Head Coach Ty Wilson. “Our defense gave us easy baskets and we kept the pressure going. Whites Creek is a good team and they have some impressive wins. We knew we had to keep the intensity going to steal one on their floor.”
Wilson rotated players in and out to keep his team fresh and they responded forcing 32 turnovers. Hodges and Alexander benefited from the turnovers scoring easy lay-ups and going to the free throw line for a combined 25 shots. Hodges led the team with 28 points and Alexander added 26. Their scoring made the game much easier for struggling sophomore point guard Mike Parker. Parker scored 11 points and dished out 11 assists but more importantly had one turnover. Center Malik Harris rounded out the Panthers in double figures with 14 points.
“We were intense from the start because we needed this win bad,” said Alexander. “Our first goal is to win the district. We have three losses so we can’t afford another setback. Bo is getting used to playing with us. Once we all start to jell we will be dangerous.”
The Panthers will try to avenge one of those district losses when they take on Hume-Fogg this Friday at home.
Maplewood High (9-8, 4-3)
Mike Parker 3-4 4-4 11, Will Alexander 9-19 7-13 26, Bo Hodges 9-16 10-12 28, Deshawn Johnson 0-2 1-4 1, Malik Harris 7-9 0-0 14, Reggie Nelson 0-0 0-0 0, Alex McKissack 0-0 0-0 0, Immanuel Newsom 0-0 2-2 2, Craig Blackshear 1-2 0-0 2, Chavaris Newsom 2-5 1-2 5, Hassan Littlepage 0-4 0-0 0, R.T. Wilcox 0-0 0-2 0. Totals 31-61 25-39 89
Whites Creek ( )
L.F lemmings 1-2 2-2 4, D. Simpson 2-9 0-2 4, D. Cockrell 7-13 3-4 19, R. Dyer 2-6 0-0 4, T. Crump 5-7 2-2 12, J. Brooks 3-8 0-4 6, R. Waters 3-9 4-4 10, D. Sweat 1-3 0-0 2, L. Simmons 2-2 0-0 4, M.Wilhoite 1-4 0-0 2, T. Barrios 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 28-65 11-18 69
SCORE BY PERIODS 1st 2nd 3rd 4th TOTAL
Maplewood High 29 21 18 21 89
Whites Creek 12 22 12 23 69
FG%: Maplewood High .508, Whites Creek .431. 3-pt FG:Maplewood High 2-9 (Parker 1-2, Alexander 1-5, Newsom 0-2), Whites Creek 2-11 (Flemmings 0-1, Simpson 0-3, Cockrell 2-3, Dyer 0-1, Water. 0-2, Wilhoite 0-1). Rebounds: Maplewood High 37 (Johnson 8), Whites Creek 41 (Cockrell 7, Water. 7). Fouls Maplewood High 19, Whites Creek 27. Fouled out: Brooks Water. Sweat . Technical: COCKRELL. Assists: Maplewood High 21 (Parker 11), Whites Creek 12 (Cockrell 3, Crump 3). Steals: Maplewood High 16 (Hodges 5), Whites Creek 9 (Cockrell 2, Brooks 2, Water. 2). Blocked shots: Maplewood High 2 (Newsom 1, Wilcox 1), Whites Creek 3 (Brooks 1, Simmons 1, Barrios 1). Turnovers: Maplewood High 18, Whites Creek 32.